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December 24, 2022

As a tradition, this event happens in December every year, just days before Christmas. The event is preceded by a general staff meeting a day before. During the general staff meeting, the administration accounts for the hospital activities carried out in the year since the previous meeting. Remarks and queries are presented by the rest of the hospital staff members.  This meeting sets everyone on the same page by the end of the day, even ready for a party the next day. These two events are intended to bring together all the staff members from all the different departments ranging from support staff to administration. As it is quite obvious, there is no such instance where all the 268 staff members are under one roof, healthcare provision has to continue always. This is the closest Matany Hospital can get to having everyone together for a meal and a party.

As far as togetherness is concerned, these meetings and parties have both been effective for the past years since it started.

This year: Friday, 16th December 2022, the tradition was further sustained when the hospital held a general staff meeting at 3 pm attaining a high score of attendance of about 200. Opening prayers and remarks were led by the host, deputy human resource manager, Mr Loput Johnson. The host then invited the Medical Superintendent (MS), Dr John Bosco Nsubuga to give his presentation. As it was anticipated, the MS gave a detailed presentation of the hospital activities with statistical backing. The highlight of the presentation was the progressive improvement in healthcare delivery by Matany Hospital despite the deteriorating finance.

The administrator of Matany Hospital, Br. Günther Nährich also gave an insightful presentation mostly highlighting the finance of the hospital. This year 2022, the Hospital expenses substantially increased compared to the previous year; Conversely, the hospital income decreased by almost the same ratio, threatening insolvency. At the end of Br. Günther’s speech, a video sent by Dr Michael, Marga and family was played They have been the most devoted Hospital benefactors. As it is seen in the video, they wish everyone in Matany Hospital a Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year 2023. In his own words, “God willing we shall celebrate the Day of The Sick together in Matany next year.”

Shortly after the loud applause, the floor was open for reactions from the members. The members raised questions some including requests for supplements in remuneration which the administration responded accordingly. Mr Erau Faustine, the medical Clinical officer offered a vote of thanks to the administration and the entire team of devoted staff members for working tirelessly each day to ensure the continuance of the Hospital.

Ameo Jesca, the PHC nurse did an excellent job in summarizing and translating the content of the meeting in Akarimojong making sure no one got left out.

Another staff member who happened to be one of the beneficiaries of the Hygiene and sanitation program confirmed that she received the pit latrine and offered her heartfelt gratitude. The meeting ended just a quarter to 6 pm with a closing prayer.

The following day, Saturday, 17th December 2022: The committee comprised of the Hospital catering department, technical and security assembled a team and set things in motion early in the morning to ensure the party happens at the slated time, 3 pm.

The party started at half past three with the arrival of the hospital staff and students from the Nursing and Midwifery Training School (NMTS). Welcoming remarks from the host, again Mr Loput Johnson kickstarted the party. Brief speeches followed from the Medical Superintendent, and the principal nursing officer, Sr. Paula, both taking a keen interest in the time since it wasn’t a talking day.

The students from nursing and midwifery students were invited too, occupying the western tent fully.

Breaks were inclusive and plenty of entertainment happened: the majority included dance choreographies from the Nursing and Midwifery Students, a performance from Teko Sakari, a nurse from Surgical Ward, music performance from Jeep man who sang his recorded song exalting Matany Hospital for its impact on Karamoja.

Sr. Gladys the deputy principal also gave a speech reminding the crowd that the training school scooped 100% in the accreditation just like the hospital did this year.

Br. Günther Nährich the Administrator of Matany hospital gave a 10-minute long speech mostly tailored towards Christmas. In his message, he reiterated the memorable events of the year 2022. Below is the Christmas letter

 

https://youtu.be/5FndkxF16oE

The video is a detail of the speech that was a combination of the Christmas message and some reminder of the events that happened in during the year.

Without further ado, food was served at two serving points for convenience and time-saving, and everyone got enough. The variety of dishes left the people smiling with satisfaction, thanks to the catering team comprised of the hospital café and the NMTS kitchen staff.

The administration opened the dance floor and the people danced and had fun till 10 pm.

https://youtu.be/Pry-I0Skorc
https://youtu.be/soOJ5LAShag
https://youtu.be/hayU6Q-UidA

Nyeko Gunther


December 13, 2022
Sr. Among and Dengel having a conversation with Lolem during the visit at her home

Today, healthcare includes a lot of activities ranging from prenatal to antenatal to preventive care and palliative care. Palliative care involves a variety of services delivered in support of the patient and their family, by a mix of professionals who all have equally important roles to play – including physicians, nurses, support workers, paramedics, pharmacists, physiotherapists and volunteers.

Palliative care improves the quality of life of patients and that of their families who are facing challenges associated with life-threatening illness, whether physical, psychological, social or spiritual. The quality of life of caregivers improves as well. Early delivery of palliative care reduces unnecessary hospital admissions and the use of health services.

A 2020 publication by World Health Organisation states that each year, an estimated 56.8 million people, including 25.7 million in the last year of life, need palliative care. Unfortunately, only about 14% of people who need palliative care currently receive it. Unnecessarily restrictive regulations for morphine and other essential controlled palliative medicines deny access to adequate palliative care.

The global need for palliative care is expected to grow as a result of the ageing of populations and the rising burden of non-communicable diseases and some communicable diseases. Karamoja sub-region is unquestionably disadvantaged by not just inadequate health technology but also its relative location from the better-equipped National Referral Hospital, Mulogo. Of

the socio-economic nature of the people, most patients are destitute. Several cancer patients in need of chemotherapy and radiotherapy are unable to access the service prompting the hospitals to offer only the most they can, palliative care.

Nakong(centre) upon receiving the items.

At St. Kizito Hospital Matany, palliative care is provided by Primary Health Care nurses (PHC) who travel -with the support of the Hospital- to visit the patients and give medical supplies to the homes of residents. morphine is the most prescribed and delivered.

If it was just about the medical conditions, the challenges would have been much simpler to alleviate but, financial constraints limit the patients from even getting food and water. Most of the patients visited are in visible misery arising from their inability to make a living. Considering how they have been making a living from manual labour and the incomes were hand-to-mouth, health conditions like these are just forcing the patients to live shorter than they could have.

The PHC team with a little funding from the hospital and well-wishers have made efforts to help the patients with the basics of food and water to accompany the strong medications that demand a lot from the body. The team on several occasions have carried along some food items like posho, beans, and milk powder among others as they deliver the morphine refill.

In one particular visit that got documented, the team visited two terminally ill cancer patients who reside in the neighbourhood of the hospital in sheer lack and agony.  As narrated in the video below, these two individuals are having the hospital as their only refuge and stronghold.

The first patient who is in her late 60s is homeless after her house collapsed earlier this year; besides the distress from the illness, shelter and food are up there on her list of needs to sustain life. She was better off during the times when she was admitted to the medical ward of Matany Hospital, at least shelter, water and even food were assured.

Sr. Among ( left ) reminding Nakong ( centre ) of the prescriptions.

The second patient was diagnosed with cervical cancer in her early 40s, she has been a seamstress before her health conditions couldn’t allow her to continue with the decent living, she has been making for the past 2-3 decades. Now she sits home and hopes that the pain and hunger don’t come at once, at least one at a time -as she meditates on her demise.

When visiting such patients, one can wonder whether the delivered medication is the first on their list of priorities or another burden. It instantly evokes mixed emotions: Seeing them smile in agony when the team arrives, seeing them laugh while the joy lasts, the joy that lasts as long as the team’s company in the dry compound. While for the team members, one cannot get the thought of these visits of his/her mind: The thought of knowing you are their only balance between agony and peaceful passing on. The thought that, of all the supplies delivered, the medications are probably still there but not the food -not anymore. The thought that you would love to offer more helping hands but as a team member of a hospital like this, Matany Hospital also has its financial constraints painted all over, is distressing. Unlike in the past, there is currently no running program for supplying food to needy patients whose ability to make a living for themselves got hindered by their health conditions. Out of utter regard to humanity, the hospital is obliged to deliver medical assistance to each one of the terminally ill patients who have been discharged to reside in their respective homes.

Team members walk 3 km East of Matany to meet the second patient.

There is a limitation on transportation if the homes near and far homes are to be visited routinely. The team members have been moving on foot to homes that are at the extreme ends -extreme ends of the walkable distance spectrum. In the instance that the home is outside this spectrum, it is probably in the range of a bicycle rider. Bicycles are used in most cases when walking the entire distance is not humanely achievable; Unfortunately, not even bicycles are readily available.

What the PHC team of Matany Hospital prays for is a vehicle, a vehicle strong enough to reach the deepest ends of the villages, a vehicle just accommodative enough for the team members and the supplies to be taken along.

The vehicle will further be pivotal to this service since there are patients in hospital beds that have been referred to Mulago National Referral Hospital for Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy but are unable to afford the fares. They too can get some sigh of relief and some light of hope if transportation is available.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7kzmCdSyFo
A Saturday with Lolem and Nakong

Nyeko Gunther


December 1, 2022
Namilo Sharon CM 2019, making a presentation.

When you think of 2020, you think of one thing before the rest; interruption or particularly, COVID-19.  The impact of this outbreak is hard to overstate; the majority arose from preventive measures. The directives as inconvenient as they got, were for the good of the entire population. Nevertheless, the stand-still was detrimental not only to the daily running of the business but also education. Not just once, but twice; first and second wave. St Kizito Hospital Matany School of Nursing and Midwifery students were not spared in any way.

About to be dispatched to “serve and love” is a cohort comprised of 5 gentlemen and 38 ladies who joined this training school at a time which later seemed to be an unfortunate time to join any school, July 2019.  All 5 gentlemen did nursing, 18 of the females trained for midwifery and the rest, 20 pursued a nursing certificate.

Finalists and continuing students attend the presentations

As of 29th November, the class did final preparations inclusive of personal revisions, group discussions and academic seminars all aimed at acing the final examinations slated for 6th December 2022. Teams were created to do self-assessment in practical sessions, different examinable areas in typical ward setup were practised and marks were awarded. The examiners -who were fellow students- awarded marks and gave comments on the performance of the fellow students. The tutors later joined in to give more detailed and expert guidance to the students.

Sr. Eunice giving her remarks

Sr Eunice Okello, the clinical instructor further emphasized the matter of individual attitude towards patients, not just for the final exams but the whole career, referring to the increased complaints about nurses’ attitudes in almost every facility.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2Wz6eM8Fos
Summary video

Before one of the many academic seminars, a few students shared their experiences about the journey from choosing the profession to choosing this specific training school and completing the training.

“I decided to join this particular training school because of the reputation they have built; passing the best-performing nurses and midwives in this country despite, being outside the central region where the best training schools are presumed to be located. I applied normally as guided by the adverts, got shortlisted and did the interview. I believe I was outstanding in the interviews as well; the admission team was free and fair enough to take me in based on merit.”

~ Awor Anna Frances from Tororo.

“My inspiration to join this nursing profession stemmed from my first encounter in the medical ward in Matany Hospital when my father was brought in a critical condition, The way the nurses received and took good care of my father impressed me, it was just a good impression shortly before it turned to a deep inspiration. He later succumbed to the illness; nevertheless, I envisioned myself being a nurse, the best nurse! besides, what better place to do my training? I thought.”

~ Dida Happy Peace from Kaabong

The COVID-19 pandemic delayed me as it did to everyone else, the most apparent is the academic timeline that got disrupted. I am certain I would be a midwife by now prepping for a diploma course. My family’s sole source of income; business, also got a setback posing further challenges to provision for me and my siblings. On the brighter side, (scoffs) I got to spend more quality time with my family, with the nature of boarding schools, we barely spent more than a month with family. Above all, I am glad we have reached the beginning of the end.”

~Natiang Gloria from Amudat

The hospital, the school administration and all the stakeholders are pleased with the resilience and the milestones the trainees have achieved up until this point.

The success card from the Hospital Administration

Nyeko Gunther


November 28, 2022

The Board of Governors on the 24th of November 2022, launched the construction of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the hospital site, next to the maternity ward which is housing the currently overwhelmed neonatal unit. This groundbreaking ceremony followed the routine Board of Governors meeting which took place earlier in the day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpMb0cayYok

Representatives from the technical department, administration, PHC, maternity, and school assembled to witness the memorable event as the bishop’s pick-axe dug the first hole into the ground, followed by the chairperson Board of Governors, the country director CUAMM and the representatives.

Speeches from the guests and the administration followed as the audience smiled in ecstasy. The ceremony was later concluded by a blessing from Rt. Rev. Damiano Giulio Guzzetti M.C.C.J, Bishop Moroto Diocese.

Rt. Rev. Damiano Giulio Guzzetti M.C.C.J, Bishop Moroto Diocese

“…they saw already the need…”

We all know, a building is a one-time expenditure, but then the continuation, running, the upkeep of such a unit is another thing. It is good that at the beginning, CUAMM is considering offering support, e.g., salaries for additional staff, maintenance, etc.

We have already a very small neonatal unit within maternity; functioning very well, only that it is too small when up to about seven children have to be cared for in this very small space.

Equipment has been already supplied by CUAMM. They saw the need and they quickly mobilized funds for these babies. It is not just today that CUAMM comes to our aid. It has been a long way together with other initiatives. Chairman has hinted that they supported our surgical team, our tuberculosis ward, the outreaches, and many activities with the community, even helping us with community dialogues.

There are many activities which CUAMM has been supporting right from the beginning and continues to support. We have been together for years and it is fantastic to see what has been achieved. Greetings to the people of the Irish Embassy, who are availing the funds. We haven’t met them yet but for sure they’ll come one day.

Br. Günther NährichAdministrator Matany Hospital

Mr. Abul Paul (L), Br. Gunther Naerich (C), Rt. Rev. Damiano Giulio Guzzetti M.C.C.J, (R)

This is one of the many efforts we are trying to do to improve care for newborns in Karamoja…”

This is the beginning of a service, or rather the beginning of an action which will lead to the improvement of services for newborns in Matany and in the district of Napak; because one thing that goes unnoticed is the problem of newborns in this country. We all know malaria, diarrhoea, tuberculosis, pneumonia and so on, are killing children, but we never realize how many children die because of those newborn conditions; the diseases that affect children between 0 and 28 days of age. There are so many of those conditions that take away children at that age.

If you analyze the data from Uganda right now, of the children we lose before five years of age, most of them -about 40%- are lost within 0 to 28 days. So, if we can make them survive those 28 days, they are more likely to survive the five years and even beyond, that is why it is increasingly important for us to pay attention to the diseases that affect children while they are that young. They are not necessarily ordinarily diseases; they can be just complications of birth, just because they are born too small, or because they are born before the right time. Those conditions are taking a lot of our kids.

Matany Hospital is taking the right direction to try and focus attention on that need. This is one of the many efforts we are trying to do to improve care for newborns in Karamoja. We will do a similar exercise in Kaabong and Moroto Hospitals. Although we may not have the buildings there, we will have the equipment, the staff training and other things that are necessary to improve the service.

We have realized that when you do this, the children come. Be prepared to have very many children coming, why I say this is; we built a similar facility in Aber hospital in Oyam. Oyam is one of the 9 districts of the Lango sub-region. Right now, of the children in that age bracket, 60% from the whole region are taken care of in Oyam. So, it is imminent that you are likely to get to the same situation; that 60% of the new-borns from the whole of the Karamoja sub-region, with such problems, may end up being managed here because they will be referred. Although we may be starting with a building that looks a bit big like we said for the church, it might become small, but of course, we are not going to add another one. We will just hope that we support the other districts to have a similar facility so that Matany is not overwhelmed.

Thank you very much for accepting this addition of service to the hospital. I know there was already some care for newborns, but the space and the equipment were not adequate.

Dr Lochoro PeterCountry Director, CUAMM Uganda

Uganda Country Director CUAMM, Dr Lochoro Peter

“…we shall make sure that we make use of this facility to the best of our ability…”

I would like in first place to thank CUAMM for the continuous support they have given to this hospital and other medical units in Karamoja. They have shown that they have an interest in saving children to ensure that these children grow up as adults in a healthy manner. This is not the first service that you are giving us here in Matany. It is just an extension of the activities that you have already been doing; And for us, as recipients of this, we shall make sure that we make use of this facility to the best of our ability, not only to please you but also to please God, that is what we shall do on our side.

Mr Abul PaulChairperson Board of Governors

“…they may grow up to be the future of this country…”

Sending a word of gratitude to CUAMM and the administration of Matany at large as well, I would like to extend a word of blessing for this new building that is now coming up, that the blessing may be extended to the workers, the patients, and the newly born. That they may grow up to be the future of this country in the best way possible.

The Lord be with you (and with your spirit) may the almighty God bless you the father the son and the holy spirit, AMEN.

Bishop Damiano GuzzettiMoroto Diocese

Apuda Daniel


August 3, 2022
Midwife attending to a Neonate- Maternity Ward

A chain of duty is a line used to ensure the service offered, fulfills its obligations concerning work-related well-being, safety, and work fluidity. The idea behind it is, that everyone’s duty links to the other.

Our daily duties and responsibilities guide the growth and advancement of the organization. Our devotion and love for our day-to-day responsibilities define or summarize the Hospital’s progress, so aligning with the Hospital’s mission.  This is essential to its success.

Looking into reality, progress is not likely to be realized while one person completes assignments. However, it’s undeniable when everyone involved contributes humbly, promoting fluidity in the workplace. This is surely clear to be seen all over the Hospital premises whereby every service offered by any hospital worker is connected to the other.

On a certain day, I found myself sitting next to one unknown man who seemed to be new to the Hospital. His complex looks and his eye’s changing constantly direction surprised me, making me curious. I began trying to figure out what was going on inside his mind, but I failed to come up with anything relevant, so I gave up trying. I resumed what I was doing on my phone.

In the turn of things, when I was in my world doing what I was enjoying, this man uttered some catchy words: “Wow! This is marvelous, the true definition of God’s work manifesting in front of my face”. His words made me even more confused, but this time I was able to say something. “What do you mean sir?”, I asked.

“Oh my God! Young man, can’t you see what is going on here? He spoke. “What is that, sir? I asked again. “One is cleaning the place; the other is giving medicine; another one is attending to the new patients; a technician is there working on the light system; a nurse is pushing a wheel chair”. Don’t you think this is beautiful?” “Yes, it is. This is how things are done here, sir”, I replied. He responded: “Every service is linked to the other. If all mankind did things like this, I believe, the world would be a safe place for all of us”. “True sir, if a man would realize the value of a fellow man, then the devil will not succeed in his work”, I answered.

Then another thought came to my mind. There are so many benefactors and well-wishers, who unknowingly join this chain of duty and responsibility.

The joyful donors assist us financially by providing any support needed to run the hospital. Still it needs the link to the Hospital by the administrators to complement what they are supporting by leading the health facility inside. But even the management cannot do it by itself, they need the doctors to treat the sick. The medical doctors additionally need nurses, midwives, laboratory personnel, x-ray and ultrasound operators, to carry on from where they left off; cleaners, compound workers, accountants, technical staff and many others need each other in whatever they are doing to maintain the chain of work fluidity in the interest of our patients. Often, I hear the expression: “The patient first!” In fact, this is the main purpose of the existence of the Hospital and we are all part to fulfill this task.

By Achia Emmanuel

Free Laboratory testing-screening
Sr. Hellen Atekit (L) together with Compound Worker (C)- Photo Credit: Gudrun Marat
Free X-ray services
Hospital Compound Management

Apuda Daniel


July 21, 2022

In a trend of repeated loss, she continued to live. Grace’s, every trial to raise a life keeps on ending in heartbreak, leaving her too defenseless to every hateful person’s mockery. Her quest for the happiness that comes with having children has yet to bear fruit in her life. Thus far, it has turned out to be a foundation of isolation. Despite a person’s trials to calm her down, her spirits refuse to be soothed by anyone’s pleasant counseling; for nothing hurts her more than her four babies, who have returned to God the creator, so early.
“I have turned to a playing ground of savages, my pain has become their delight, and I have no one to turn to in this mental-consuming experience, not even my loving husband who has been instigated several times to leave me,” said Grace, her giggling eyes controlled by the deep emotions in her couldn’t stop the tears flooding her chic’s.
In every married woman’s life, giving birth to a baby is the loveliest component of every female delight. The joy and happiness it brings is unmatched by anything in a mother’s life experiences. A new emotional bond that binds the two together prompts her to realize her interest in the new life that a child brings besides, the responsibility to protect this new life excites the mother, overwhelming her with joy and happiness but also making her anxious.
Along with the regular excitement and anxiety that comes from giving birth or conceiving, a woman can also have one principal question on her mind. specifically, what’s next in the baby’s life?
In 2017, Grace was pregnant for the first time and was full of energy, as every mom should be. As the days passed, her delivery time knocked on the door, and it finally arrived on the anticipated month, September of the same year. A nurse drove her to the maternity ward of the Nakapiripirit Health Center. When the setup of the room was ready for her to deliver, the midwives laid her on the bed with her body positioned rightfully. At that moment, Grace was only rational about the gladness she was bound to get in the shortest time.
“I was so excited at that time and I don’t remember feeling any of the pain during delivery,” she said. Because the excitement of having a child enveloped her in fantasies, she never thought once about what was about to devour her happiness. After numerous moans, the little innocent child came out, but shockingly, it didn’t cry. And in a few turns, the doctor pronounced him dead, driving the mother crazy. She continued, “That was shocking! I never thought of that taking place. I had kept on only daydreaming about holding, and loving him, but the news from the doctor blew my mind, succumbing me to tears.”
Heavenly Father, thank you-you are the God of all comfort and joy. I pray you to send your spirit to uplift Grace’s sad heart. Shine a warm light on her cold heart. Only your love can melt sorrow and fill us with joy. I ask this prayer through your Son, Jesus Christ Amen. I did this when I realized that her loss was too deep; I urged her to pray with me and then move on.
This young woman’s quest and hurt didn’t end there. In 2018, she got her second pregnancy, but just like previously, she again lost her child after one month of life. “The second loss felt like it added more load to the already heavy burdens, my inner healing scar soared again and I was considering dying. ” In the following two years, Satan’s hunting of her children continued, repeating the skill, leaving her fighting depression.
Despite her struggles, the community and people around her tormented her even more vigorously, calling her many bad names that have ever existed on this earth. Not only that, but they also influenced the husband to leave her with conviction, the husband was fighting two conflicting thoughts, wondering which to go with. But Grace assured him that, whatever decision he made, he would remain her husband, and she would not tempt marrying someone else.
When her husband deserted her for a year, her humility served her well; upon seeing this, the Comboni sisters assigned her to care for one of the deserted kids whose mom is on the run due to the fact she by no means envisioned having a family. Grace is now content with the boy that God has given her in some other way. The husband, knowing he made a mistake by abandoning his wife, decides to return to her, and the wife is now in St. Kizito hospital Matany, with her newborn child after delivering a few days ago. She appeals to all of us to wish her and her newborn child their happiness together.

Apuda Daniel


July 5, 2022

When our bodies are in pain and our hearts begin to question our life path, the fear of losing our precious life takes a toll on our normal reasoning, sending us into a spiral of fantasy. Looking for hope in a difficult situation becomes our primary goal, and we embark on that journey by bringing a patient to the hospital with the belief that healing is possible here.

Upon the arrival of these critically ill patients at the hospital and successive admissions in respective wards, primarily the Medical Ward, the sadness yet hopefulness for recovery written on each patient’s face digs into our Health workers’ hearts with sympathy, arousing the feeling of pity which, in turn, motivates their creativity and teamwork in a bid to save lives.

“When I first arrived here in April 2018, my legs were blotted `and’ I was struggling to walk, I couldn’t eat because the sickness had detached my appetite for food,” Kerisa told our news hub. “My sister helped in pushing me around in a wheelchair to see a doctor, which was very generous of her.”

Kerisa and his newfound friend Nadien are the two boys ever-present in the compound of St. Kizito hospital Matany, which they call home; the boys with blotted tummies have been brought down to their knees by a disorder they are in, and their homes have become a distant memory. This is such a reality that is often hard to embrace.

“These two fellows are being managed for liver cirrhosis under chronic care,” said a diploma nurse Hillary Anyakun, the in-charge of the medical ward, the hospital medical center. “Kerisa is a hepatitis B negative patient and Nadien is a hepatitis B positive patient, they have been in supportive management with our treatment, and they are under the Samaritan fund helping most vulnerable patients to pay their bills.”

Samaritan fund has been a revelation to many patients who are unable to meet their medical bills, imagine without the fund, where will the two boys dig for the money to pay their medicinal bills. As the name is pronounced, Samaritan funding mimics the Samaritan who helped the wounded man in the wilderness after being beaten by the robbers to the sorry state.

Nobody will ever feel comfortable living with a chronic illness; however, some unfortunate people have done so, and some have died as a result of the awful ailment. Kerisa Emmanuel and Nadien Francis are some of the unlucky patients in our hospital.

“How I wish that someone comes up with the treatment to clear the wounds in our livers,” said Nadien, “some good people love us despite our complex condition, but some immoral ones laugh at us, and this makes us sorrowful.”

The plea of these two boys is not the call for their stomachs to be filled with food, though they need it. But a plea to get well again. But how possible is it, my friends? It is only possible if we can manage to extend our hands to areas that seem unreachable so that we provide them with the best treatment needed.

Imagine if these boys became well again! Imagine how happy they will be! Imagine them being with their families! Imagine how happy you will be for them, and imagine the blessings you will get if helped by you… Thanks.  

Apuda Daniel


June 13, 2022

MALNUTRITION IN KARAMOJA, FROM THE EXPERT’S PERSPECTIVE

Severely Malnourished Kids getting better

St. Kizito Hospital Matany Nutrition Unit

Malnutrition is a condition or encounter, which is never desirable in a young child’s early life development. However, undernutrition is a reality that many young children are suffering from without their choice. Mr. Samuel, a well-trained and educated personnel, has added this fact to our attention. He offers us some perception of the problem of malnutrition in this interview.

Mr. Samuel Korobe is a Nutrition intern at St. Kizito Health Center Matany, Uganda, and a fourth-year scholar of Uganda Christian University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics. He also holds a Diploma in Clinical and Community Nutrition with 7 years of experience amongst diverse non-governmental organizations; NGOs. Besides the above, Mr. Samuel works with the NUYOK project, handling the sensitization of the groups on good child feeding and caring practices, hygiene, and good child survival outcomes.

What may have influenced Mr. Samuel to pursue a course(s) on nutrition?

Being born in Karamoja, He has grown up seeing and experiencing instances of malnutrition because of bad nutrition status among groups. This arose emotions of pity and the need to be of assistance to those groups.  In his words, “Malnutrition is something I couldn’t appreciate. I continually visited hospitals, handiest to locate, a multitude of kids who’re significantly and reasonably undernourished”. He constantly needed to work with any Nongovernmental organizations willing to cope with the element of malnutrition inside the Karamoja vicinity. This continually pushed him a long way and effectively, he has now finished his ambition at St. Kizito Hospital Matany, for which he chants hymns of praise.

What is malnutrition in line with Mr. Samuel?

Etymologically, the term is derived from a Latin word, “malus” which is translated as “terrible”. Therefore, placed simply, malnutrition manner something awful. But it can be literally out that ‘Malnutrition is a state of affairs where the body has insufficient nutrients or lacks adequate vitamins.’ The loss of vitamins inside the frame exposes the former to numerous dangers of illnesses e.g., kwashiorkor, marasmus, and anemia.

He places forward unique not unusual sorts of malnutrition; under-nutrition and over-nutrition. Taking a close take, look at the Karamoja vicinity, the most version shape is under-nutrition, characterized by wasting, stunting, underweight, and so on. But the Hospital Nutrition unit mostly manages the wasting, stunting is a protracted-time period presentation of malnutrition, it interprets this after a failure to control the wasting, and it’s in no way reversible as soon as it has happened. “Stunting severely influences the child’s mind improvement and development which later attributes to such a lot of complications inside the body of the child.

What are the facts that aid his assertions?

The trend demonstrates that the hospital unit gets a full-size wide variety of instances from diverse catchment areas together with the OPD, pediatric ward, and TB ward, with the pediatric ward receiving the general public of instances. “On common, we get 5 sufferers each day in the unit, except on Sunday because it is a relaxation day, so we get these individuals who come presenting with SAM with edema and SAM without edema, however a few with other clinical troubles like ophthalmia, and what we do is stabilize them.” So, in terms of admissions, the health center has received this range of cases, each inpatient and outpatient, since the start of this financial year, FY 2021/2022

                        Monthly Admissions

 JulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarApr
Inpatient24282117193023266232
Outpatient24100506050711070905

What’s the cure rate in keeping with Mr. Samuel?

                          INPATIENT overall performance

 JulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarApr
Cured35372418273122126148
Cure rate100%100%100%95%100%97%100%100%97%100%
Deaths00000001000100000000
Default00000000000000000000
Total discharges35372417272922126048
Source: Integrated Nutrition register (INR) and Unit monthly reports FY 2021/2022 

OUTPATIENT overall performance

 JulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarApr
Cured21181310100301060617
Cure rate100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%
Deaths00000000000000000000
Default00000000000000000000
Total discharges21181310100301060717
Source: Integrated Nutrition register (INR) and Unit monthly reports FY 2021/2022

Source: Integrated Nutrition register (INR) and Unit monthly reports FY 2021/2022                     

The best information, in step with sphere standards, the cure rate is supposed to be 75%, which we had been capable of exhibiting. The Nutrition unit’s crew is ecstatic to look at kids reap their theoretical ability for us. The power you acquire from it clears our brains of any doubts. Since July of the last year 2021, our therapy charge has been higher than expected, thanks to the clinic and UNICEF, which must provide therapeutic feeds like F-75, F-100, ReSoMal, and other Ready to use Therapeutic feeds (RUTF) used in feeding the children, but this does not rule out different food lack of confidence demanding situations that contribute to child malnutrition.

Poverty: the terrifying stage of absolute poverty in Karamoja has been an international’s attraction for a long time now, with many people unable to shop for food and different needs required for their own family’s successful operation, mainly among those dwelling in severe poverty. In step with the intern student, kids are the maximum prone, as most families only consume one meal consistent with day with few or no vitamins, that’s unhealthy.

Animal rustling has become an epidemic of lack of confidence. The devilish practice is plunging the vicinity into extreme peril, leaving us with nothing to eat; you can see what has occurred in the previous couple of months; cattle rustling has misplaced many cows and destroyed properties; people’s granaries looted from the villages; so, anticipate a shortage of nutritional diets among families and in the long run, kids will be the first victims of severe hunger, so we are anticipating an increase in the variety of malnourished kids.

In this local community, three-quarters of the population live in abject poverty. This is major because of seasonal crop failure leading to food shortage, House Hold low incomes that reduce the affordability of a variety of foods in the market among others. Therefore, it is important to note that Malnutrition is not desirable in the Karimojong Communities, but it is rather unavoidable when the factors highlighted and others come to play. 

If you wish to be part of the agents of change who are sacrificing to turn around the malnutrition statistics in Karamoja, kindly partner with St. Kizito Hospital Matany, a Center of Health excellence in Karamoja, and other regions.

”We Dress The Wound, God Heals It” 

Apuda Daniel


May 27, 2022

A One on One with Mark, the Witness of the Rare Miracles (by Post. Andrew Kaggwa)

Dear esteemed readers, meet a reality about the mysterious recovery of a young man, Lobuli Mark which has left the doctors, nurses and attendants in awe and wonder. Such situations should not be ignored but should rather be closely and keenly meditated upon to realize the wonders of the Lord unto different persons.

Lobuli Mark is a young man of 26 years, born in 1996 in Napak district, Lotome Parish. He is from a family of three boys. Of the three, Mark is the first born and is a bachelor. His father was killed by the warriors while burning charcoal and the mother died of the variant Hepatitis E.  

In the year 2022, Mark suffered uneasiness in some of his body parts but could not tell what the problem was. He started feeling a reduction in his movements whereby he could not walk or run as he used to in the previous days. He reached an extent that he took a while putting on shoes. Continuously, the pain went on further to the right leg. Mark had no idea anyway, however, the pain and uneasiness spread faster to the waist, and gradually went to the upper limbs. Fortunately, it did not affect his upper part of the body; the neck and the head, he remained conscious. Briefly, Mark had paralysis in the rest of the body parts; he was self-helpless and unable to sit.

With help from the relatives and his young brother, he was rushed to Lotome Health Centre III where he was given some treatment. However, the relatives thought it wise and took him to Matany Hospital in Matany, Karamoja on 20th March, 2022. It is explained that paralysis is one of the rare cases received in hospitals, and its patients rarely survive. Filled with a bunch of pessimism and exasperation, having spent a few days, the relatives and the young brother of Mark left him in the hospital lonely. It was very absurd! This incidence left Mark in a battle of ideas debating in his mind. He developed self-hatred, became pessimistic and it was too hard for him sincerely thinking that he was also in the evenings of his life.

Despite the absence of his relatives and the various hallucinations, Mark put his trust and help in name of the Lord who made heaven and earth to heal him. Hillary, of the nurses, rated Mark as a jolly and friendly person. His witness was depicted by the relationships Mark made in the hospital while on his sick bed. He was such a person that would bring smiles on the patients’ faces with jokes and jokes. Thus, he became friends with all the people to the extent that he did not lack a person to clean him, dress him, and tide his laundry and many more. Surprisingly, these all were done by the attendants of other patients, and each day, a different person helped Mark with zeal and generosity of heart. I would say, Mark earned the fruits of his humility and down to earth character.

He was such a person who greeted the health workers doctors at any time of the day or night, and would further remind them to greet the patients. As a quality of a good health worker, Mark always reminded them of their values. With such love from the surrounding serene environment, Mark was more pleased and became more optimistic. Through the love of God, Mark was able to sit, swing the arms and legs. This was the most amazing and surprising miracle that Matany doctors and health workers have produced. On meeting Mark, he was enthusiastic, elated and ecstatic of his healing situation. Remarkably, all the hospital attendants enjoyed his company as a patient to the extent that they enjoyed treating him and giving him attention.

‘The stone that was rejected by the builders, became a cornerstone’, on 22nd May, 2022, Mark was discharged from Matany hospital and transported to his home accompanied by Hillary and the driver. His arrival at home surprised the whole family, however, they shied off and received with joy. Mark stayed happy and thankful to the Matany hospital administration and all who assisted him. “Never lose hope, trust in the Lord” was Mark’s motivational statement.

From the doctor’s desk; “Mark has been the best friend of all and is social person, we love him.”

DN Hillary Anyakun, Mark Lobuli and writer Post. Andrew Kaggwa

Apuda Daniel


May 27, 2022

In Karamoja, insecurity has become a perpetual and infinite race. The old insecurity curse continues to pass down from generation to generation, destroying any previously established stability. For the region sitting at the top end of Northeastern Uganda, hope has turned to despair, and love has turned to hatred, all because of the need for cows, and the will to survive. Animal thefts are frequently recorded, usually in conjunction with animal and human deaths.

 The administration has moved quickly to combat a common vice that is causing hardship for the people of Karamoja by resuming the disarmament exercise that helped to eliminate illicit gun possession in the region before. However, the community is not simply watching the government try to attain the aim on its own. Youthful people have been walking to remote locations to raise awareness about the value of peace. Thankfully, we hosted teenagers at several Karamoja locations in Matany on Saturday last week. They had walked all across the region, passing through the districts of Kotido, Moroto, and Napak. Everybody welcomed them and talked about a variety of things, including the current state of instability and its negative consequences for the region. We also have a difficult time discussing the importance of living in peace in depth. We chatted pleasantries and wished them well on their way back home as the day drew to a close and it became dark and late for them.

 Before we can see peace flourish in our society or communicate the concept of peace to others, we must first find peace inside ourselves. It is not anyone’s concern, but everyone’s responsibility, to keep the peace.

Reformed Warrior Youth Network-Karamoja Peace Walk
Reformed Warriors Advocating for Peace in Karamoja

Apuda Daniel

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